Man United concede late penalty to draw against Burnley

• Manchester United concede a late penalty and draw 1-1 at Old Trafford against relegation-threatened Burnley.
• Erik ten Hag’s team displayed early wastefulness, but Antony’s goal in the 79th minute would seem to be enough to secure all three points.
• But after Andre Onana’s error, Vincent Kompany’s team had an opportunity to tie the score through Zeki Amdouni.

Manchester United’s chances of making it into the Champions League the next year are all but gone after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford with relegation-threatened Burnley.

Erik ten Hag’s team displayed early wastefulness, but Antony’s goal in the 79th minute—his first league goal of the year—would seem to be enough to secure all three points.

But after Andre Onana’s error, Vincent Kompany’s team had an opportunity to tie the score through Zeki Amdouni, and with just 12 games remaining, the Red Devils were 12 points outside of the Champions League berths.

A number of spectacular stops were required of Onana, particularly two from Lyle Foster in the first half and a chance from Wilson Odobert that the goalie blocked with his leg at the near post just before the final whistle.

How the game unfolded

Antony celebrates after scoring in the game. Photo/ United in Focus

Burnley only made one alteration to their starting lineup, introducing David Datro Fofana back, but Man United kept their starting lineup same, with Mason Mount being good enough to start on the bench.

An end-to-end, frantic struggle between two vulnerable backlines began in just that kind; Arijanet Muric’s stop from an Antony shot in the seventh minute was the best of several opportunities over the first fifteen minutes.

Though Ten Hag’s forces rapidly took control of the match, the hosts were just inches away from ending the draw in the nineteenth minute when the formidable Bruno Fernandes struck the woodwork.

But as the second half went on, Burnley’s advantage grew, and in the 34th minute, Onana had to make an incredible stop to save Lyle Foster’s header from going into the net.

After Sander Berge’s deft assist to send Foster off, the Cameroonian denied his African opponent once again in the 38th minute, fully earning his keep as the game went into halftime without a goal.

Five minutes into the second half, Burnley’s goalkeeper Muric again proved to be a master, blocking Antony’s close-range attempt following an Alejandro Garnacho cutback. As the hour mark drew near, Ten Hag’s team persisted in their pursuit of the much-desired first goal.

The home audience was not pleased with Ten Hag’s odd choice to substitute Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund as his team was pressing for a goal. They were particularly miffed that a penalty call in the 76th minute was overturned because Garnacho had fallen under pressure from Dara O’Sha.

But three minutes later, smiles lit up the Theatre of Dreams when Antony, a menace all day, rushed forward, intercepted a badly-placed Berge pass, and, despite falling, managed to sneak a meek effort into the far corner.

Burnley levelled the score from the penalty spot. Photo/ Sky Sports

Antony’s first Premier League goal of the year was a fitting reward for his efforts throughout the day, but the Brazilian’s happiness was short-lived when Onana unintentionally bumped into Amdouni as he was returning after punching away a header from Casemiro.

Rather, Amdouni was just struck in the head by Onana, similar to what happened against Wolverhampton Wanderers in August, but the Burnley striker got up to score from the spot and tie the score with 87 minutes remaining. Aaron Wan-Bissaka handled the threat instead.

Andre Onana’s error gave Vincent Kompany’s team had an opportunity to tie the score through Zeki Amdouni, and with just 12 games remaining, the Red Devils were 12 points outside of the Champions League berths.

After failing to produce a response in extra time, the Red Devils were jeered off the field, and it is quite likely that they will not be marching to the Champions League anthem in 2024–2025.